The animated sequel about toys that come to life leaped to the No. 1 spot with a $109 million opening weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

“Toy Story 3″ became the third animated film to top $100 million in the first weekend, joining “Shrek the Third” at $121.6 million and “Shrek 2″ at $108 million.

It was by far the best debut for a film from Disney’s Pixar Animation, topping “The Incredibles” at $70.5 million.

Reuniting voice stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, the movie has Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and their toy pals facing their mortality, worried they will end up on the scrap heap now that their kid has grown up.

“Whether you’re a kid or a parent, you always come to a fork in the road where you make the decision of what to do about your toys. Therein lies the appeal of the movie,” said Chuck Viane, head of distribution for Disney.

That, and the fact that Woody, Buzz and the gang have become like family to “Toy Story” fans, he said.

“Somehow these characters have worked their way in. When you go there, you can see the audience is vested in the movie from the start. It doesn’t take any time to warm up. The minute it hits the screen, they’re in,” Viane said.

“Toy Story 3″ took over the No. 1 spot from Sony’s “The Karate Kid,” which pulled in $29 million to raise its 10-day total to $106.3 million.